Aric Nesbitt (born January 25, 1980) is an American politician serving as a member of the Michigan Senate, representing the 20th district, which includes most of Van Buren County, Central Allegan County, Northern Berrien County and Byron Township & Gaines Township in Kent County. A Republican, he serves as the minority leader of the Michigan State Senate and previously served as president pro tempore. He previously represented the 66th District in the Michigan House of Representatives and served as the Michigan Lottery Commissioner from 2017 to 2018.

Early life and education

Nesbitt grew up on a sixth generation family dairy and grape farm in Porter Township, just south of Lawton, Michigan in Van Buren County. He is the middle of five children, with two older brothers and two younger sisters. He served as a page in the U.S. House of Representatives during his junior year of high school and was a delegate to the American Legion Boy's Nation between his junior and senior year of high school.[citation needed]

Nesbitt graduated from Lawton High School in 1998, the same school as his father and grandfather. During his senior year of high school he was dual enrolled at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He earned a B.A. in economics from Hillsdale College in December 2001 and later earned his master's degree in international business from the Norwegian School of Economics.

Personal life

He lives south of Lawton, Michigan, with his wife, Trisha, and their three children.

Electoral history

Michigan's 20th Senate District General Election, Nov. 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanAric Nesbitt69,31661%+4
DemocraticKim Jorgensen Gane44,40339%−1
Michigan's 20th Senate District Republican Primary Election, August 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanAric Nesbitt24,69167%
RepublicanAustin Kreutz7,85321%
RepublicanKaleb M. Hudson4,17211%
Michigan's 26th Senate District General Election, Nov. 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanAric Nesbitt61,50957%
DemocraticGarnet Lewis43,49540%
LibertarianErwin Haas2,3752%
GreenRobert M. Alway1,1531%
Michigan's 26th Senate District Republican Primary Election, August 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanAric Nesbitt16,52952%
RepublicanBob Genetski9,37728%
RepublicanDon Wickstra6,44320%
Michigan's 66th District General Election, Nov. 2014
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanAric Nesbitt15,75358%
DemocraticAnnie Brown11.64642%
Michigan's 66th District General Election, Nov. 2012
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanAric Nesbitt22,99059%
DemocraticRichard Rackovich16,27741%
Michigan's 80th District General Election, Nov. 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanAric Nesbitt15,49262%
DemocraticTom Erdmann7,85932%
LibertarianBill Bradley7223%
No Party AffiliationCheryl Evick7783%
Michigan's 80th District Primary Election, Aug. 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanAric Nesbitt5,45850%
RepublicanShelly Hartmann1,81817%
RepublicanFrank Thompson1,69716%
RepublicanRobert Linderman8018%
RepublicanDouglas J. Harrington7697%
RepublicanWilliam Queen2042%

External links

Michigan House of Representatives
Preceded byTonya SchuitmakerMember of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 80th district 2011–2013Succeeded byRobert Genetski
Preceded byBill RogersMember of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 66th district 2013–2017Succeeded byBeth Griffin
Michigan Senate
Preceded byTonya SchuitmakerMember of the Michigan Senate from the 26th district 2019–2023Succeeded byKevin Daley
Preceded bySean McCannMember of the Michigan Senate from the 20th district 2023–presentIncumbent
Preceded byTonya SchuitmakerPresident pro tempore of the Michigan Senate 2019–2023Succeeded byJeremy Moss
Preceded byJim AnanichMinority Leader of the Michigan Senate 2023–presentIncumbent